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Don Andreas set his cup of coffee back on the table. “Would not the sale of the Linguyen to Japan solve the problem of what to do with a vessel the Navy no longer needs?” He directed the question to his guest, the Minister of Defense.

“Yes,” De la Vega said with hesitation, “but the Lagonoy… we were confident that the South Africans would not transfer her to China. How can we be certain that Japan would not do the same?”

“We cannot be certain,” replied the senator. “In all politics there is an element of risk. We misjudged the perfidy of the South Africans, and we will never to do again. But with Japan there are more elements in play. Consider the recently concluded conflict between China and Chosen – with whom did Japan side?” Soriano’s question was rhetorical, and needed no answer.

“As weak as China may be at sea compared with Japan its sheer size and resource base dwarfs Japan; if China ever received a government worthy of the name it would – in time- challenge the world. It is in Japan’s interest to assure China remains distracted from such a course by assisting by one means or another nations that might provide such distractions. Chosen is one; we are another.”

De la Vega took a moment to digest these thoughts. “Having freed ourselves from Japan’s strings are we then to willingly reattach them?” He referred of course to the withdrawal from the SATSUMA alliance.

“By no means,” the elder statesman assured him. “Certainly Japan would like us to look more favorably upon them; but we should make clear that any transfer of the Linguyen is strictly a commercial transaction with no explicit or implicit quid pro quo.”

“Even if we were to proceed on that basis, the Senate…” De la Vega countered.

“Leave that to me,” Soriano smiled. “I believe that they can be convinced to see reason.”

Don Andreas Soriano was pleased thus far with his efforts to shepherd the proposed sale of the small aircraft carrier Linguyen through the Senate. His hold on Don Pedro Teves and his ultra-nationalists remained strong, and the other factions of the right had also fallen into line. His ally, Don Manolo Elizalde, had swung much of the press behind the idea – indeed, the day’s edition of the Manila Times offered an eloquent editorial in favor of the sale. If public opinion could be convinced that the Linguyen would not end up in Chinese hands the matter would be clinched.

He mused whether the public might be diverted by De la Vega’s coast defense scheme; the Minister of Defense had only hinted at the plan, for which a British expert had been hired. Certainly if the Government could be shown as being strong toward China it would make things easier.

Don Joaquin de la Vega and his assistant, Ramon Magsaysay had returned to the Minister’s office to digest the proposal set before them by the hired British expert, Maunsell. De la Vega dropped his copy of the report on his desk and slumped in his chair; his assistant took a seat opposite him.

“Does he actually believe concrete will float?” asked the Minister of Defense. The question was intended as rhetorical but Magsaysay offered his own answer.

“In the Great War several of the European powers made use of ferroconcrete ships and barges; if you do the sums correctly, yes, a concrete vessel will float.”

De la Vega raised a dubious eyebrow. “Really?”

Magsaysay continued. “Shortages of steel,” he explained. “Of course, the craft were not as efficient as steel ships, nor as long lived. For some years after the hostilities a British firm used surplus barges to good effect in cross-Channel traffic.”

“Ramon,” the Minister exclaimed, “you are a font of esoteric knowledge. It is one of your best qualities.”

De la Vega picked up his copy of the report and turned to a page he had marked. “Now these steel tower proposals seem to me more reasonable,” he said. “We have sufficient experience with such having built the dradis station at Scarborough Shoals”.

“True enough,” Magsaysay agreed. “But such installations can only be built where the sea is not too deep and work crews have sufficient support to proceed efficiently. The concrete caissons can be built ashore and then floated out to where they are wanted. And their construction would be faster.”

“There is that point,” De la Vega agreed. “And less costly up front.” He fell silent a moment and then asked, “Do you think this plan would be approved by the Senate?”

Marking the conclusion of the first phase of their operational trials the escort destroyers Cabanatuan and Calamba called at Iloilo. The newest of the Navy’s fighting ships, they were completed at Butuan earlier this month.

The Manila Chronicle, Friday, 19 March 1948

Yesterday evening saw the Senate approve by a narrow margin the proposed sale of the aircraft carrier Linguyen to the Imperial Japanese Navy. The matter had been hotly debated in the wake of the Laganoy Affair, but the need to economize naval expenditures while maintaining an adequate defense against potential foreign aggression swayed non-committed senators.

Minister of Defense Don Joaquin de la Vega reflected on the Senate’s debate thus far on his plan for improved coast defenses throughout the archipelago. Considering that it came hard upon the contentious discussion of the sale of the aircraft carrier Linguyen to Japan it had gone surprisingly smooth. Senator Soriano had proved to be a most eminent advocate. A bill embodying his proposals was being drafted and would likely be reported out before the end of the month. Don Andreas appeared confident that the votes could be found to support it and carry it through the chamber.

It might come at the cost of modifications to the existing naval program; but then, some of those expenditures would be balanced by the sale of the Linguyen; and for the moment China was unusually quiescent. Therein lay the dilemma – the Philippines could not risk the possibility that China would remain so forever. So the naval construction program could not be cut by much; and thankfully there were few in the Senate who advocated such.

The First Fighter Wing, stationed at Villamor Air Force Base, near Manila, has completed its conversion to the recently-acquired de Havilland Vampire Mk.31 jet fighter aircraft. Its principal mission is the defense of the capital region against air attack. The unit’s previous mounts, the North American P-51D Mustang, have been placed in temporary storage pending their reassignment to other units. Additional quantities of the outstanding British fighter have been ordered, and it is expected that the Second Fighter Wing at Del Carmen Air Force Base will begin conversion sometime later this year.

The 27th Bombardment Squadron of the Seventh Composite Wing, stationed at Del Monte Air Force Base, has completed its conversion to the Douglas A-26 attack bomber. This marks the retirement of the veteran Martin B-26 medium bomber from the Air Force’s inventory. The Martin aircraft had built up an enviable record during the South China Sea War but attrition has taken its toll, and the aircraft no longer met the tactical needs of the Air Force.

For Kapitein-luitenant ter Zee Eugène Lacomblé the morning’s briefing had come as a surprise. The level of pirate and smuggling activity in the southern seas had been at a low level for many, many months. Even the threat of China seemed to have receded. Today’s information however belied that assessment; his instincts suggested that the intelligence had been at hand for some time, but only now released to the Philippine Navy; he chose not to speculate further.

China, it seemed, had acquired two battlecruisers from foreign sources – probably South African – and according to agent reports was having them refitted there. This acquisition would shift the balance of power between the two navies to a significant degree. Coming on the heels of the recent decision by the Philippines to sell one of their two aircraft carriers Lacomblé wondered if such a move was wise; the argument, of course, was that Philippine strategy was defensive. More concerning were cryptic reports of some sort of manned torpedoes – whatever that might mean. It suggested that come what may, the Chinese were not changing their basic stance.

This explained, no doubt, the decision by the Philippine naval staff to continue its series of Alcotan-class coastal escorts and Descubierta-class antisubmarine gunboats. There had been speculation that the initial pair of each class might not be followed by further construction; now, it appeared, that two more of the former and four more of the latter would be constructed during the remainder of the year.

And then there were the reports of the growth of the Chinese air warning network; initially confined to northern regions new stations were being brought into service at a rapid pace. The more recent series of long-range reconnaissance sorties by Philippine aircraft had drawn far swifter responses from Chinese interceptors, suggesting a growing sophistication on the part of Chinese RDF personnel. He had heard rumors that Philippine submarines had been deployed off the Chinese coast with orders to monitor the Chinese transmissions; whether it was true or not he did not know. His hosts were not *that* obliging.

Philippine News and Events, April 1948

The Manila Times, Thursday, 1 August 1948

A ringing response was given today to the reports of the growing naval strength of the Chinese Empire. The light cruiser Batangas joined her sister Benguet on the ways of the Cavite Naval Shipyard while at the Butuan facility on Mindanao no fewer than four vessels – the escort destroyers Roxas and Rosario, and the antisubmarine vessels Vencedora and Cazadora – were laid down. These fine ships will follow their predecessors in the continuing program of fleet renewal, enabling the nation to assure its defense at sea.

On Friday of last week the Senate gave a first reading on the proposed Coast Defense Act of 1948, which would substantially boost the nation’s ability to impede any aggression from China, or any other potential aggressor for that matter. It calls for the strengthening of the Army’s coastal artillery and its expansion to other portions of our internal waters. It also provides funding for new fortifications of outlying areas as provided for by the so-called “Maunsell Report”. Among the plans released thus far are construction of artificial gun platforms to protect the vital Scarborough Shoals station (illustrated below left), and new sorts of floating gun platforms that can be positioned where they might be needed (see below right). Further debate is expected when the Senate reconvenes on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Defense has formally announced the solicitation of tenders for replacements for the M1928 Mountain Guns presently used by the Philippine Army. Requests for proposals have been sent to the principal munitions manufacturers of Europe and the Americas seeking a weapon of capable of succeeding the twenty-year old Skoda design. Based upon the responses received, the Ministry hopes to make a decision by the end of summer.

The Ministry of Defense has formally announced the solicitation of tenders for replacements for the M1928 Mountain Guns presently used by the Philippine Army. Requests for proposals have been sent to the principal munitions manufacturers of Europe and the Americas seeking a weapon of capable of succeeding the twenty-year old Skoda design. Based upon the responses received, the Ministry hopes to make a decision by the end of summer.

Cockeril could offer the Canon de 75mm M1934 Mountain Gun.
This is a 75mm mountain gun based on a Bofors design. It has pneumatic tires allowing motorized transport. The gun can be tractor drawn or carried in 5 loads.
Projectile: 6.59kg
MV: 455m/s
Range: 9,300m
Weight: 515kg
Elevation: -5 to +50
Traverse: 8-12deg.
ROF: 18rpm

The Dutch Royal Armoury can offer the 105mm L20 M1943.
This is an L/20 calibre version of the L42 M1943 which was originally designed as the M1945G for mounting in the GG-45 assault gun. It used a modified L42 carriage and is in use in the DEI and with the Dutch Marines. Production is undertaken at the Batavia Arsenal (so delivery is easy as is spares support, practically on the doorstep).
Weight (in action): 1490 kg; (travelling): 2510 kg
Barrel length: 2.1m L/20
Breech: sliding block
Elevation: -6° to +45°
Traverse: 50°
Rate of fire: 8 rpm
Muzzle velocity: 453 m/s
Maximum range: 10,200 m

Brother Francis reflected upon the progress made at the mission under his charge. The peace between the recently-arrived settlers and the local Bajao had taken hold and the Easter services had seen an increased number of catechumens from the latter community. While holding to their traditional faith the merchants seemed to tolerate this, as the profits to be made selling the goods made by the craftsmen brought from the Visayas were considerable. The school was being expanded, and shipments of supplies arrived once a month now. The Government had built and staffed a small clinic in the town, which took from the mission some of the burden of treating the sick of the community. These things sat on the positive side of the ledger.

The news from the Dutch territories across the Celebes Sea was troubling. Despite the best efforts of the Dutch authorities there was a growing restlessness among the population. ‘Awakening’ was the word used by the prophets of the nativist revival; he could see that the Dutch could never hold the Indies in subjection forever. As his own country had finally liberated themselves from the Iberians, eventually the people of Java, Sumatra, and the other Dutch possessions would take their place among the nations of the world. Whether this would be peaceful or violent remained the question. If sparks from the Indies relit the fire of the Abu Sabaya rebellion, all the work he had labored for would be undone.

The East Asia Squadron of the German Navy, under the command of Rear Admiral Bernhard Rogge called at Zamboanga. The squadron is expected to remain for the weekend before departing for an unannounced destination in the southwest Pacific.

The Bohol Chronicle, Sunday, 18 April 1948

In a major step forward in the renovation of the fleet the motor torpedo boat depot ships Makati, Malabon, Taguig and Tondo were declared operational. These valuable support ships will each be assigned to one of the Navy’s motor torpedo boat squadrons, significantly increasing the ability of these swift boats to defend our sea frontiers.

The submarines Cochoa and Cardinales were declared operational today following completion of their operational training periods. They are to be assigned to the submarine force of the Northern Fleet. In the Cavite naval yard the minelayer support ships Toboso and Talaingod were completed, while at San Fernando two similar vessels, the minesweeper support ships Sabtang and Siayan were finished. All four vessels will embark upon builders’ trials and operational training before undertaking their duties with the fleet.

The Manila Herald, Tuesday, 20 April 1948

The submarines Cygnus and Claravis completed their construction today at the Cavite Navy Yard and have embarked upon builders’ trials. The penultimate pair of Tirador-class submarines they follow their sisters Cochoa and Cardinales, which recently were commissioned. Given the growing threat offered by China, their completion comes none too soon.